Herman Miller for Healthcare Clinical Applications Consultant Kathy Okland, RN, will offer a presentation on lean practices and design in healthcare at the annual Lean Healthcare West conference. The conference is scheduled from May 21-22, 2007, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Okland provides technical expertise to healthcare research and design efforts, and supports clinicians in the field with knowledge of flexible, adaptable, and changeable modular solutions for healthcare architecture.
The presentation, "Eliminate Waste in the Design of Space: Modularity & Muda," is inspired by her experience in healthcare facility planning and construction. "Between 30 and 60 percent of time, money and materials in the healthcare environment is wasted unnecessarily," she notes. "Modular product solutions decrease waste, because employees are able to adapt the products to the needs of their patients and co-workers, including changes in workflow."
Okland also will address the importance of designing flexible, lean environments to prepare for future healthcare facility construction. "Over the next 10 years, $200 billion will be spent to replace, renovate, and repurpose healthcare facilities," says Okland. "How will you plan for an environment of care today that will easily adapt to changes in process, equipment, and technology tomorrow?"
Okland's presentation is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22.
Lean Healthcare West is a group of experienced healthcare professionals that assists others with the application of the Toyota Production System principles to the delivery of care. Its goal is to create a high quality, affordable healthcare system by eliminating waste and increasing patient safety and worker satisfaction.
|
